Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has made a significant statement regarding the September 11 attacks, alleging that Osama bin Laden deliberately used Saudi citizens in the tragic event with the primary objective of damaging the longstanding relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia.
The Strategic Objective Behind the Attacks
In remarks made amid continued backlash over the 9/11 tragedy, the Saudi leader provided insight into what he described as bin Laden's calculated strategy. The Crown Prince stated that Osama bin Laden specifically used Saudi people in the September 11, 2001 attacks for one central purpose - to create a permanent rift between the two allied nations.
Mohammed bin Salman emphasized that the al-Qaeda leader's master plan involved exploiting the involvement of Saudi nationals to generate suspicion and hostility between Washington and Riyadh. This revelation comes at a time when the relationship between the two countries has faced numerous challenges and scrutiny over the years.
Context and Timing of the Statement
The Crown Prince's comments were made public on November 19, 2025, as documented by the DH Web Desk. His statement represents one of the most direct acknowledgments from Saudi leadership regarding the complex dynamics surrounding the worst terrorist attack on American soil.
For decades, the US-Saudi relationship has been a cornerstone of Middle Eastern geopolitics and global energy markets. The Crown Prince's assertion suggests that bin Laden recognized the strategic importance of this alliance and specifically targeted it through his choice of operatives for the devastating attacks.
Implications for Bilateral Relations
This frank assessment from the Saudi leadership comes as both nations continue to navigate the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks and their impact on international counterterrorism cooperation. The statement appears designed to reinforce the idea that both countries were victims of bin Laden's manipulation rather than adversaries in the tragedy.
The Crown Prince's characterization of events presents a unified front against terrorism while acknowledging the painful history that has sometimes strained the crucial partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia. His comments suggest a desire to move beyond the legacy of suspicion that has occasionally marked bilateral relations in the post-9/11 era.
As both nations look toward future cooperation on security and economic matters, this direct acknowledgment from Saudi leadership provides important context for understanding the complex geopolitical landscape that has evolved since the tragic events of September 11, 2001.
